PMH nurses help at flood site
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| Perry Memorial Hospital nurses Kathy Blanford (seated) and Kris Hansen man a communications center while helping flood relief efforts near Quincy. (Photo contributed) |
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PRINCETON — The days were long, but Kathy Blanford and Kris Hansen aren’t complaining.
The women, both Emergency Department nurses at Perry Memorial Hospital, spent four days last week, June 21-24, helping the flood relief effort at Kinderhook, a small town near Quincy along the Mississippi River.
Blanford, of Princeton, and Hansen, of Sheffield, are members of the IMERT-INVENTvolunteer medical organization, which was deployed to the flood area by Gov. Rod Blagojevich. The volunteers assisted military groups, along with community volunteers and agencies, with the clean-up effort.
“It was such an awesome experience,” Hansen said. “Physically, it was long days, but emotionally, it was very rewarding.”
The medical volunteers were based out of the Kinderhook junior high school which had been converted into a medical emergency center. The women stayed at a hotel in nearby Quincy and each morning they did sick calls at the area university and school. Some days, they stayed at the Kinderhook emergency medical center, helping people who came to the school. Other days, they were part of the three teams sent to other locations, like farms or bridge areas, to set up temporary medical stations.
The women gave numerous tetanus shots, took care of a lot of foot problems and poison ivy, ran Intravenous fluids on people, provided emotional support, did about anything that was needed, Hansen said. If they weren’t able to handle the medical need on the field, the person was sent back to the Kinderhook site or to an area hospital.
Most days, Blanford and Hansen worked at least 16 hours. A couple times, they were even on-call all night.
Blanford said the volunteers were kept well-informed of the flooding situation and concerns. Daily debriefings were held and the teamwork was excellent, she said. Everyone knew the seriousness of the job before them, but also knew when some lighthearted, relaxing moments were needed, she said.
Although there was a lot of work involved, both Hansen and Blanford said they’d go again in a heartbeat if they were called.
“I was surprised that we put in such long hours, but I was so thankful to be a part of it. It was so worth it,” Hansen said. “It felt so good to know I was able to help the people there.”
Hansen said she knows personally what’s like to be a person in a crisis situation. A few years ago, she lost her home in a fire. So many people, even strangers, helped her get through that time. Now, she wants the opportunity to give back to others, Hansen said.
Blanford agreed.
“I’m a position now, since my kids are older, that I can “pay it forward” and also “pay it backward”, in appreciation for all the people who have helped me through the years,” Blanford said. “Now it’s my opportunity to give back.”
Blanford and Hansen said they are thankful for the support of Perry Memorial Hospital for allowing them to be part of the deployment and to their co-workers for covering their work schedules for them.
Both women also encouraged others to consider volunteering in some way in their communities or as an outreach to other communities. Volunteerism is so important, Blanford said. Thinking about Perry Memorial, the volunteer Gold Coats helpers provide such an important service to the hospital, she said.
Hansen agreed, saying people need to reach out to others.
”You go through life and there will be a time when someone helps you, and then you can help someone else. It’s a trickle down effect,” she said.
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